THE parents of a six-year-old who is battling a brain tumour are planning to renew their wedding vows so she can be their bridesmaid.

The O’Donovan family, from Ushaw Moor, near Durham, are trying to make as many memories with six-year-old Lyla as possible, in case she needs to have a major brain operation.

Doctors are currently monitoring the youngster, who goes to Bearpark Primary School, to see if she needs the risky surgery to prevent the scar tissue from previous operations from tearing her brain stem.

In the meantime, mum Kirsty and dad Paul have come up with a bucket list of things they want to do this year, which also includes nominating Lyla for a Pride of Britain award and going to Disneyland.

The Northern Echo:

KIND HEARTS: Six-year-old Lyla (right) and her sister Lilley, 10, at their Ushaw Moor home. PICTURE: STUART BOULTON

Mr O’Donovan said: “It could be two weeks or two months or ten years. It’s the unknown about whether it’s going to happen which is difficult.

“We just want to do as much as we can with her so that was the reason we picked three things that we’re aiming to do.

“If we get through those three I’ll pick another three.”

Lyla was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and has since had eight operations, most recently in December.

She is recovering well and was able to go back to school with her classmates yesterday.

But because of her stay in hospital, she was unable to take part in a special treat organised by the Angel Trust, which was an invitation to go to a recording studio to make her own CD, alongside a Disney princess.

Instead, Mr and Mrs O’Donovan are hoping to take the princess mad youngster to Disneyland along with her siblings Reece, 13, Olivia, 12, Lilley, ten, Harry, seven, and ten-month-old Henry.

Mr O’Donovan has also nominated her for a Pride of Britain Award to recognise her bravery in the face of her health difficulties, and is encouraging other people to get involved as well.

Lyla, who won a Braveheart award last year, loved it so much she and her sister, Lilley, created their own reward scheme so all children facing tough times can be recognised.

The girls came up with ‘Lyla and Lilley’s Stars’ and anyone who knows a child who deserves a bit of praise or needs cheering up can be nominated through the family’s Facebook page, Lyla’s brain tumour journey, and will receive one of their colourful certificates.

Mr O’Donovan said: “I’m so proud of them, they felt they wanted to do something nice for other children as they feel any youngster who has a tough time deserves an award.”